After the grueling training session, Satoru lay on the ground, lost in thought.
"Hey, Janne," he called out.
"Hmm? What's up?" she replied, looking over at him.
"I was wondering, how long do you think it will take for me to reach your level of strength?" Satoru asked, his eyes reflecting both determination and curiosity.
Janne pondered for a moment, tapping her finger against her lips. "Hmm... I'd say... maybe... four years?" she finally answered.
"Four years, huh... that's quite a long time," Satoru mused, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"Yeah... it is," Janne agreed softly.
"Ah!!" Janne suddenly screamed, startling Satoru out of his thoughts. He sat up quickly, his eyes wide with confusion.
"Wha-what's wrong?" he asked, his heart racing.
"It's all your fault! I made breakfast before coming up here, and now, because of your training, the steak must be cold by now!" Janne exclaimed, her face a mixture of frustration and dismay.
"Ah?!" Satoru echoed, equally alarmed.
They both stared at each other for a moment, the weight of their realization sinking in.
Janne hurriedly got up and rushed towards the kitchen, leaving Satoru to quickly follow her.
As they reached the kitchen, the delicious aroma of cooked steak wafted through the air, though it was clear that the meal had been sitting for a while.
Janne sighed, looking at the now-cold steak with a mixture of regret and resignation. "I guess we'll have to reheat it," she said, her earlier frustration giving way to practicality.
Satoru, feeling guilty, offered to help. "Let me assist you. It's the least I can do after all the trouble I've caused."
Janne glanced at him, her annoyance softening into a small smile. "Alright, but you better don't mess up," she teased, her eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement.
Together, they set about reheating the meal, their earlier tension melting away in the warmth of their camaraderie.
As they worked side by side, Satoru couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for Janne's patience and support, knowing that with her by his side, even the long road to strength didn't seem so daunting.
In the familiar comfort of the living room, two silhouettes appeared on the couch, sitting close together as they enjoyed the meal they had reheated together. '
Their conversation meandered through various topics, eventually landing on one that had been on Satoru's mind.
"So, you said you want to get stronger quickly, at least see some results in the short term?" Janne asked, her eyes searching Satoru's face for his true intentions.
"Yes, exactly," Satoru confirmed, his determination evident in his tone.
Janne leaned back, pondering for a moment, then turned to him with a twinkle in her eye. "Well then... today, you will start learning magic. I'll teach you myself, step by step," she declared, her voice filled with both challenge and promise.
Satoru's eyes widened in surprise and excitement. "Magic? Really? You'd teach me that?" he asked, hardly daring to believe his luck.
"Yes, really," Janne affirmed with a nod. "But it won't be easy. You'll need to focus and put in the effort."
"I'm ready," Satoru said, sitting up straighter, his fatigue forgotten in the face of this new opportunity. "What do we start with?"
Janne smiled, appreciating his eagerness. "First, we need to find your affinity. Everyone has a natural inclination toward a certain type of magic—be it fire, water, earth, air, or something more unique. Once we determine yours, we can tailor your training accordingly."
Satoru nodded, his mind already racing ahead. "How do we find out my affinity?"
"There's a simple test we can do," Janne explained, standing up and moving to a nearby shelf. She retrieved a small, ornate box and brought it over to the couch.
"Inside this box are elemental crystals. When you hold one, the crystal will react to your natural affinity."
She opened the box to reveal several glowing stones, each pulsing with a different color and energy. "Go ahead, pick one," she encouraged, her eyes watching him closely.
Satoru reached out, hesitating for just a moment before choosing a deep blue crystal. As he held it in his hand, the crystal began to glow brighter, its light reflecting in his eyes.
Janne's smile widened. "Water affinity. That's a good start. It means you have a natural connection to water magic, which is versatile and powerful."
Satoru looked at the glowing crystal in awe. "So, what do I do now?"
"Now," Janne said, closing the box and sitting back down beside him, "we begin your training. I'll teach you the basics of channeling your energy and forming your first spells. It's going to be challenging, but I know you can do it."
"We'll start with water-related magic since you have an affinity for it. Once you've mastered how to use magic, we can move on to learning other elemental types. Of course, if you prefer not to follow the usual path, that's an option too," Janne suggested with a knowing smile.
"Uh… I think I'll stick to the normal way," Satoru replied hesitantly, scratching the back of his head.
With that, the room seemed to fill with a new kind of energy, one of potential and possibility.
As Satoru and Janne sat together, discussing the path ahead, the bond between them grew stronger, united by their shared goal and the promise of newfound power.
"Let's go. Magic training should be conducted outdoors. I don't want my beloved cabin suffering any unintended consequences," Janne said, a mixture of excitement and caution in her voice.
"Alright, let's do this," Satoru agreed, determination sparking in his eyes.
Once outside, the cool breeze invigorated them both as they stood on a grassy clearing near the cabin.
"Now, let's begin," Janne instructed.
"First, gather the magical energy within your body and direct it to your hand."
Satoru looked confused. "I don't understand... How do I control magic? I don't even know what it feels like."
Janne sighed softly. "This is a bit tricky... Okay, close your eyes."
Satoru obeyed, shutting his eyes and focusing on his breathing.
Janne moved closer, placing her hands gently over his. The warmth of her touch was comforting, and he could feel her breath against his skin.
"I'm guiding your magic now," Janne whispered.
"Can you feel it? The magic flowing through you, slowly moving towards your arm."
Satoru concentrated, feeling a strange, tingling sensation. "Yes, I can feel it."
"Good. Now, in your mind, construct a model of the spell you want to cast. Imagine a small vortex."
Satoru visualized a swirling vortex in his mind, focusing intently.
Suddenly, a massive black flame burst from his hand, catching them both by surprise. The flame flickered out almost immediately, but not before it singed Janne's arm.
"Are you okay?" Satoru exclaimed, panic evident in his voice.
"Are you okay?" Janne asked simultaneously, concern mirrored in her eyes.
"I'm fine," they both said in unison, followed by an awkward silence.
Janne examined her arm, the burn already healing thanks to her own magic. "You're supposed to have an affinity for water magic. What was that fire?"
"I don't know. I just felt..." Satoru began, but he didn't finish. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed.
"Not again," Janne muttered, rushing to catch him before he hit the ground. She cradled his head, checking his pulse and breathing. "How could a first spell drain so much energy?" she wondered aloud, her brow furrowed in confusion.
She gently laid Satoru down on the grass, resting his head on her lap. Stroking his hair, she tried to make sense of what just happened.
"Why did he manifest black flames? And why did it take such a toll on him?"
Janne sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and concern. She knew that magic training was never straightforward, but this was unexpected.
"Looks like we have a lot more to figure out, Satoru," she whispered, watching his peaceful face as he slept.
As she waited for him to wake, Janne's thoughts drifted to Yuki.
She wondered if Yuki had any similar experiences with magic and whether she could provide some insights.
For now, though, all she could do was stay by Satoru's side, ensuring he was safe and ready to continue their journey once he recovered.
"You truly are a mystery, Satoru. Your identity, your body, even your appearance…" Janne murmured, gazing down at him.
Satoru's features began to blur, the lines of his face dissolving as if melting away. Janne watched in stunned silence as his facial features vanished entirely, leaving behind a smooth, featureless surface.
Moments later, tiny squares began to appear on his face, floating and rearranging themselves.
Slowly, they started to form a new visage, the pieces clicking into place like a complex puzzle.
Janne could feel Satoru's body shifting and writhing, the sensation unnerving yet mesmerizing.
It was as if he was undergoing a complete transformation, shedding his old self to become something new.
She couldn't tear her eyes away, captivated by the bizarre and otherworldly process unfolding before her.
The air around them seemed to hum with a strange energy, the transformation filling the atmosphere with an almost tangible tension.
Janne's mind raced, trying to comprehend the implications of what she was witnessing.
"What are you, Satoru?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the shifting magic.
The transformation finally ceased, leaving Satoru with a new, yet somehow familiar, face.
His breathing steadied, and he appeared to slip back into a peaceful slumber.
Janne gently stroked his hair, her thoughts a whirlwind of questions and theories.
She had always known there was something extraordinary about Satoru, but this was beyond anything she could have imagined.
She resolved to find out more, to understand the true nature of his being and the mysteries he carried within him.
As she watched over him, Janne felt a renewed sense of purpose.
She would protect him, guide him, and together they would uncover the secrets that lay hidden in the depths of his existence.
For now, she would let him rest, but soon they would embark on a journey to unravel the enigma that was Satoru.